Dramatica Definition: Knowledge

Knowledge • Most terms in Dramatica are used to mean only one thing. Thought, Knowledge, Ability, and Desire, however, have two uses each, serving both as Variations and Elements. This is a result of their role as central considerations in both Theme and Character.

[Variation] • dyn.pr. Thought<–>Knowledge • that which one holds to be true • Knowledge is something a character holds to be true. That does not necessarily mean it IS true but just that the character believes it is. The gulf between what is known and what is true can create enormous misconceptions and inaccurate evaluations. • syn. held truth, maintained information, presumed facts, accepted ideas

[Element]

dyn.pr. Thought<–>Knowledge • that which one holds to be true • The Knowledge characteristic urges a character to rely on what is held to be true. The Character representing Knowledge will tap the resources of its information to find parallels and understanding that he can apply to the issue at hand. The advantage of Knowledge is that one need not learn what is already known, thereby skipping non-essential re-evaluations and getting a head start with solving a problem. The difficulty is that Knowledge can be wrong. Without re-evaluation dogma sets in — rigor mortis of thought, leading to inflexibility and closed minded-ness because the Character believes no re-consideration is needed since the subject is already “known.” • syn. learnedness, held truths, authoritative certainty, generally agreed upon truths